FOCUS ON SOCIAL SECURITY

April 11, 2025 – During March and April, AARP’s lobbying efforts and input from AARP members nationwide, successfully resulted in the Social Security Administration (SSA) rescinding their plan to require in-person identity verification that could have prevented millions of older Americans from applying for benefits by phone. On April 9th, a SSA spokesperson confirmed that the agency “will allow all claim types to be completed over the telephone.”

Now, AARP is urging Congress to give the SSA the resources and the flexibility it needs to address customer-service deficiencies. AARP is encouraging members to contact their Congressional representatives and tell them that Social Security must be protected.

AARP has created an easy way for members to do that by using this link where the appeal is written for you. It notes that 2025 marks  Social Security’s 90th birthday and calls on lawmakers to ensure that Social Security remains reliable and strong. All you need to do is complete the information section and the letter is automatically sent to our Congressional representatives. Or, you can write your own letter to Florida Senator Rick Scott or Florida Representative Daniel Webster.

Senator Scott, who is Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, has sponsored Bill 36, the Protect Our Seniors Act, that preserves and protects Social Security and Medicare benefits. This bill is currently being reviewed and discussed by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

The Legislative Watch Project Leader is Cathy Serfass.